SIR — I am greatly disturbed at the news that the Royal Mail is to be privatised.

Unlike many industries that are run purely for a profit, the Royal Mail provides a public service where even people who live in remote places are not penalised, despite the fact that their mail must cost considerably more to deliver than those located in large towns and cities.

A privatised Royal Mail, at the bidding of its shareholders, could not possibly provide this kind of service, and people like us who live on Exmoor would either see our prices rise exponentially or our service decline.

It would have to if the new service is to answer to shareholders rather than users.

Those who live in remote parts of Wales and Scotland will be hit even harder.

I have written to our MP Ian Liddell-Grainger pointing out that as he represents a constituency which covers remote areas like the Quantocks and Exmoor, I will expect him to oppose this privatisation, which will so obviously disadvantage a significant number of his constituents.

David Shevels,

Church View,